A lorry driver told police he got behind the wheel of his vehicle after drinking a bottle of spirits because he wanted to go home and see his mum.
Officers responded to reports of an HGV swerving dangerously across the lanes of the M25 near Brentwood on 21 April.
They stopped and arrested Claudiu Ghib, 44, on suspicion of drunk driving and dangerous driving.
He provided a roadside reading of 110 micrograms, more than three times the legal limit of 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath.
He said he had drunk a bottle of alcohol but decided to drive as he wanted to go home and see his mum on Easter Monday.
At Basildon Magistrates’ Court, Ghib was disqualified from driving for 25 months, issued with a 12-month community order, and told to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
Essex Police’s head of roads policing, Adam Pipe, said the incident could have had devastating consequences: “This man got behind the wheel of a lorry and then drove on the busy motorway, putting lives at risk. “Our officers responded quickly, ensuring no one was hurt, and this was thanks to motorists who were aware of the danger he posed and called us.
“Making that decision to get behind the wheel of a lorry while under the influence of alcohol could have had catastrophic consequences.”
About the Author
Chris Tindall
Chris Tindall started writing for the haulage and logistics industry in 2002 and has covered a broad range of significant issues, including GPS jamming by criminals, platooning and Brexit.
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